Whole Grade Acceleration

Whole Grade Acceleration allows a student in Kindergarten through 3rd grade to skip an entire grade when it is the best option for their learning and overall development.

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How the Process Works
Step 1: Meeting with the School

If your family is interested in Whole Grade Acceleration, please contact your school principal to set up a meeting.

This meeting will include you, your child’s teacher(s), the principal, and other staff who know your child.

During the meeting, the team will review an Eligibility Checklist (completed by school staff) based on what school staff know about your child’s learning and readiness, as well as your input.

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Step 2: Evaluation and Review

If the school team and family decide to move forward, the following steps happen:

1. The school contacts the TAG Department to begin the evaluation.
    
2. A trained TAG proctor schedules and administers required tests.
    
3. Your child’s teacher completes a questionnaire about your child’s learning and readiness.
    
4. The TAG Department reviews all information, including assessments, teacher input, and school team notes.
    
5. You and the school receive the final decision from the TAG Department.
    
6. If acceleration is approved, student records will be updated for acceleration in the following school year.

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Assessment Tools
To ensure a full picture of your child’s readiness, the TAG Department uses the Iowa Acceleration Scale (IAS), 3rd Edition. This process includes:

• CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) – measures reasoning and problem-solving
   
• Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) – measures reading and math achievement

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How Decisions Are Made
Whole Grade Acceleration decisions are based on multiple measures, including:

• School Team Input
  The team discusses your child’s strengths, needs, and any logistics (classroom placement, transportation, social considerations, etc.).
   
• Assessment Results
  The IAS assigns points based on your child’s performance on the CogAT and ITBS in areas such as academic readiness, aptitude, and achievement.
   

Teacher Questionnaire
Your child’s current teacher provides insight into their academic development, behavior, motivation, and social-emotional readiness.